Hypothermia and Hyperbaria

Abstract

A method for successful in vitro organ preservation using hypothermia and hyperbaric oxygen is described. Dog kidneys, hearts, and distal small bowel segments have been successfully preserved by this method for as long as 48 hours. Generally, increasing the atmospheric pressure of oxygen promotes longer storage. Oxygen can be provided to the core of stored tissues by diffusion under conditions of low temperature and high pressure. Hypothermia preserves tissue for limited periods by decreasing metabolic activity. Superimposed hyperbaricity may act by supplying oxygen for reduced metabolism or actually may further inhibit oxidative metabolism by virtue of its toxicity. Three clinical cases are cited in which application of this experimental method of preservation has been used in human homotransplantation involving cadaveric kidneys.